Michele Padovano, the former Juventus striker, has finally been acquitted after 17 long years embroiled in legal turmoil stemming from false drug trafficking accusations. The once-celebrated athlete, who played pivotal roles for top clubs, including Juventus, recently shared his harrowing story on the talk show "Verissimo."
Reflecting on his troubled past, Padovano recounted the moment he was arrested on May 10, 2006, outside a restaurant. "I will never forget it. I thought of 'Scherzi a Parte' because of the harshness with which I was arrested," he said, illustrating the shock of his reality, as police issued him a 500-page indictment alleging international drug trafficking.
Central to the bizarre series of events was Padovano's generosity toward a friend, lending €36,000, which later spiraled out of control as the funds were misappropriated to buy horses instead of being used wisely. Despite clear evidence which emerged during his trials, Padovano was initially denied justice, leading to despairing terms during his drawn-out battle. "We showed through various trials, those funds were used for buying horses, but neither the first ruling nor the appeal recognized this," he explained.
Padovano's traumatic experience began with his dramatic arrest—"Three police cars halted me at an intersection, guns drawn. They handcuffed me and took me straight to my house for a search, then to Venaria for photographs and fingerprints, and finally to Cuneo where I was isolated for ten days. I never saw daylight and didn't take a shower; it was truly terrible," he described.
After ten agonizing days of isolation, he was transferred to Bergamo prison, where he would spend three additional months. This time was not only mentally taxing but also financially debilitating. Padovano lamented, "It was incredibly hard because when you're blindsided, it hurts even more. A criminal expects to go to jail, but I hadn't done anything wrong." He noted he received no compensation for the years lost and the wealth dissipated during legal proceedings: "By 2006, I owned several properties and was doing well, but now I've lost everything, yet I have my family, and I believe that's what truly matters. I hope to return to my field and find some interesting work."
His family, particularly his steadfast wife Adriana and son Denis, provided unwavering support throughout his nightmare. "My wife was the only person who always said, 'When you are acquitted.' After the first two convictions, I started to waver, but she held our family together. She decided to change lawyers even though our resources were dwindling, which I'm incredibly proud of," Padovano remarked, showcasing the love and determination within his family unit. Their unyielding love proved pivotal when the moment of truth finally came. "The happiest moment? Obviously, when my lawyers called to say it was all over. There was a long hug with my family followed by cathartic tears. I want to put this behind me and look to the future more serenely," Padovano expressed, allowing traces of relief to seep through.
Among those who kept him buoyant throughout this ordeal was the late Gianluca Vialli, his dear friend and fellow footballer. "He was my guardian angel. He always checked on how I was doing every time my family visited me. I will never forget him. A dreadful illness took him from us, but people like Vialli never truly die," Padovano said fondly, reflecting on his friend's loyalty and concern during the hardest times.
With his acquittal finally achieved, Michele Padovano looks forward to rebuilding his life and possibly returning to the world of football he has loved so dearly. His story stands as both a cautionary tale on the pitfalls of trust and the pursuit of justice, and as inspiration for many who find themselves wronged by those they hold dear. Today, he emerges with resilience and hope, ready to embrace life after his 17-year-long nightmare.